One of the most common questions we receive for our Set-N-Go Balloon Garland Collection is: “How many feet do I need?”
When ordering balloon garlands online, one of the most important details is something many people do not initially think about: the measurement itself.
At Salem Balloons and Flowers, our Set-N-Go Balloon Garland Collection was created for clients who want a professionally installed balloon garland without needing a full custom event installation. We come to your location, install the garland for you, and style it in the designated area. However, because these garlands are ordered online by footage, the selected length is based entirely on the measurements provided by the client.
And this is where proper measuring becomes incredibly important.
One of the most common mistakes we see happens with staircase balloon garlands. Clients often measure only the handrail itself, expecting the balloon garland to continue beautifully all the way down to the floor like the inspiration pictures they see online. But the portion that extends beyond the handrail and reaches the floor requires additional footage that must be included when placing the order.
That lower-flowing section is what we often refer to as the “garland skirt.” It is the portion of the installation that visually grounds the design onto the floor and gives the garland that luxurious cascading effect instead of making it look as though it abruptly stops at the end of the railing.
For curved staircases and curved handrails, the best way to measure is by using a flexible measuring tape, similar to the kind used by seamstresses or tailors. A flexible tape allows you to follow the natural curve of the railing as you measure, instead of estimating from a straight line point to point. This usually results in a far more accurate measurement.
For example, if your handrail itself measures 17 feet, but you also want the balloon garland to continue another 4 or 5 feet down toward the floor, then your final garland selection should reflect that total desired coverage rather than just the handrail measurement alone.
Straight surfaces are much easier to measure. For areas such as windows, mantels, shelves, or straight walls, we recommend using a standard retractable metal measuring tape and measuring the exact horizontal area you want visually covered from end to end.
A fireplace mantel, for example, may only require a small accent installation rather than a full oversized garland. In many cases, a 5-foot garland creates a beautifully styled look for these smaller focal areas.
Backdrop garlands require a slightly different approach because curves naturally consume more footage than people expect. When measuring for a backdrop or arch frame, we generally recommend taking the width of the backdrop and adding at least 3 additional feet to account for the organic top curve.
In our experience, a 10-foot garland beautifully covers one side of a standard 6-to-7-foot arch frame, while an additional 3-foot garland creates a balanced, extended accent on the opposite side for a fuller editorial-style look.
Another important thing to remember is that balloon garlands are organic installations. They are not rigid structures. Curves, fullness, layering, and styling naturally consume footage. Because of this, ordering slightly more footage is almost always better than ordering too little.
A garland that is slightly longer can usually be styled organically and adjusted beautifully within the space. A garland that is too short, however, may not achieve the intended visual coverage.
Our Set-N-Go Collection is designed to simplify the decorating process while still providing a polished and elevated look. Since measurements are provided by the client at the time of ordering, Salem Balloons and Flowers is not responsible if additional footage is required due to measurement discrepancies or because the selected garland size does not fully cover the desired area.
If you are unsure about sizing before placing your order, we are always happy to guide you based on pictures and approximate measurements of your space. A few extra minutes spent measuring carefully can make all the difference in achieving the final look you are envisioning. 🎈
